Ustad Sarahang (1924-1983) is perhaps the best known exponent of hindustani classical music from Kabul (Afghanistan).

When he was still a teenager, his father sent him to Patiala School of Music in India to be student of Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan‘The Light of Punjab’. Mohammad Hussain Sarahang, after 16 years of service and learning, returned to Kabul.

His style of singing khayals, in Pashto and Hindustani intermittently, was perhaps inspired by Amir Khusrau, who similarly experimented with Farsi (Persian) and Hindustani in his poetry (e.g. Zeehaal-e-Miskeen). His strong Pashto accent and unique style, gives the listener a totally different experience.

In some of the above songs Ustad Sarahang has experimented with Afghani instruments, while in some he has used conventional hindustani classical instruments. ‘Hume Saiyyan & Jawani Luta Di’ is simply superb.